Display control method and display control processing system for concealed window on desktop

ABSTRACT

The object of the present invention is to make it possible to drop easily an object in a window as a destination of drop by an operator even if the window as the destination of drop is concealed on the desktop before start of the drag. When an object  22  displayed in a window  21  is dragged by a pointing device and then dropped in another window  23,  start of a drag operation is detected, and the window  23  that corresponds to an application as a destination of drop of the dragged object  22  is displayed on a foremost side of a multi-window environment to activate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a window display of anapplication software and, more particularly, control of operabilityabout a display control method and a display control processing systemfor a concealed window on a desktop, in which the operability of thedrag-and-drop operation is improved.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In the multitask window environment (also mentioned as“multi-window environment”), the drag-and-drop operation is normallyutilized to execute moving, copying, transferring, etc. of the file.

[0005] For example, in the situation that the window A indicating a filelist of any folders and the window B indicating a file list of differentfolders are displayed on the desktop, a file in the window A can bemoved or copied by dragging an icon of the file using the pointingdevice and then dropping the icon within the window B. When thisdrag-and-drop operation is to be executed, sometimes there is the casewhere, as shown in FIG. 8A, most part of the window in which the icon isto be dropped is concealed by the window from which the icon is draggedor other window, or the case where, as shown in FIG. 8B, the window iscompletely concealed, for example. In such case, as shown from A to B ofFIG. 9, for example, the display size of the window 61 as the origin ofdrag is reduced to display the window 62 as the destination of drop onthe desktop, and then the drag-and-drop operation must be started. Thus,there is the problem that the operation becomes complicated.

[0006] Also, in the situation that the window C indicating a file listof any folders and the icon D indicating a link to the executable fileof any application D, both of the window C and the icon D are displayedon the desktop, the application D can be started to transfer a file inthe window C to the application D by dragging an icon of the file usingthe pointing device and then dropping the icon of the file on the iconD. When this drag-and-drop operation is to be carried out, there is theproblem such that, if the icon D is concealed by the window C, fromwhich the icon is dragged, or other window, the operation becomescomplicated. In addition, according to this drag-and-drop operation, ifthe icon of the target application D is not present on the desktop or ifthe operator forgot which application is the target application itself,either the target application must be started by another method or thetarget application must be searched and then started, and then thedrag-and-drop operation must be carried out. Thus, there is the problemthat the operation becomes complicated.

[0007] Also, there have been proposed various technologies that cancause any window to display explicitly or implicitly on the foremostside of the desktop and to activate the window in the situation that aplurality of windows are opened but overlapped or concealed. However,since these technologies can activate any one window only, the aboveproblems in the drag-and-drop operation cannot be overcome yet. Moreparticularly, such technologies are effective to display the window,which is subjected to the drag, on the foremost side and activate suchwindow, but they are not effective to display the window as thedestination of drop in the area of the desktop other than the window asthe origin of drag. Therefore, the operation for changing the positionof the window as the destination of drop is needed like the aboveproblems, and thus the problem such that procedures are complicatedcannot be overcome yet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of abovecircumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide adisplay control method and a display control processing system fordisplaying a concealed window on a desktop, by which an operator candrop easily an object in a window as a destination of drop even if thewindow as the destination of drop is concealed on the desktop prior tostart of the drag.

[0009] Also, it is another object of the present invention to provide adisplay control method and a display control processing system fordisplaying a concealed window on a desktop, by which the operator canexecute easily the drop of the object even if an application thatreceives the drag is not started at a point of time when the drag isstarted.

[0010] In addition, it is still another object of the present inventionto provide a display control method and a is display control processingsystem for displaying a concealed window on a desktop, by which theoperator can decide easily the destination of drop of the object even ifa plurality of applications that can receive the drag are present.

[0011] A display control method set forth in claim 1 of the presentinvention, for a concealed window on a desktop when any object displayedin one window in a multitask window environment is dragged by a pointingdevice and then dropped in another window, the method includes a step ofdetecting start of a drag operation (S101); and a step of displaying awindow, which corresponds to a predetermined application as adestination of drop of a dragged object, on a foremost side of amulti-window environment to activate (S107).

[0012] A display control method set forth in claim 2, for displaying aconcealed window on a desktop when any object displayed in one window ina multitask window environment is dragged by a pointing device and thendropped in another window, the method includes a step of detecting startof a drag operation (S101); a step of detecting whether or not apredetermined application as a destination of drop of a dragged objecthas been started (S103); and a step of displaying a concerned window ona foremost side of a multi-window environment to activate (S105) if thepredetermined application has been started, or starting the applicationand then displaying the concerned window on the foremost side of themulti-window environment to activate (S107) if the predeterminedapplication has not been started.

[0013] A display control method set forth in claim 3 or claim 4, furtherincludes a step of displaying a window of an application on the foremostside of the multi-window environment to activate (S107) by referring toa table that indicates association between objects and applications andpriorities of the applications (S102) if a plurality of applicationsthat are the destination of drop of the object are present.

[0014] A display control method set forth in claims 5 or 6, furthercomprises a step of displaying windows of a plurality of applicationssequentially on the foremost side of the multi-window environment incompliance with the priorities in a reference table to activate duringwhen the drag operation is held, and then repeating a circulation ofactivation until a drop operation is carried out (FIG. 6).

[0015] A display control processing system set forth in claim 9, fordisplaying a concealed window on a desktop when any object displayed inone window in a multitask window environment is dragged by a pointingdevice and then dropped in another window, comprises a control means(CPU 2) for detecting start of a drag operation, and then displaying awindow, which corresponds to a predetermined application as adestination of drop of a dragged object, on a foremost side of amulti-window environment to activate.

[0016] A display control processing system set forth in claim 10, fordisplaying a concealed window on a desktop when any object displayed inone window in a multitask window environment is dragged by a pointingdevice and then dropped in another window, comprises a control means(CPU 2) for detecting start of a drag operation, and then displaying aconcerned window on a foremost side of a multi-window environment toactivate if a predetermined application as a destination of drop of adragged object has been started, or starting the application and thendisplaying the concerned window on the foremost side of the multi-windowenvironment to activate if the predetermined application has not beenstarted.

[0017] A display control processing system set forth in claims 11 or 12,further comprises a reference table (FIG. 7) in which associationbetween a plurality of applications, which are the destination of dropof the object, and objects and priorities of applications are set andwhich is used to display a window of an application on the foremost sideof the multi-window environment to activate by referring to theassociation and the priorities.

[0018] In a display control processing system set forth in claims 13 or14, the control means displays windows of a plurality of applicationssequentially on the foremost side of the multi-window environment incompliance with priorities in the reference table to activate duringwhen the drag operation is held, and then repeats a circulation ofactivation until a drop operation is carried out.

[0019] A program set forth in claim 17, for displaying/controlling aconcealed window on a desktop when any object displayed in one window ina multitask window environment is dragged by a pointing device and thendropped in another window, the program causes a computer to function asa control means that detects start of a drag operation, and thendisplays a window, which corresponds to a predetermined application as adestination of drop of a dragged object, on a foremost side of amulti-window environment to activate.

[0020] A program set forth in claim 18, for displaying/controlling aconcealed window on a desktop when any object displayed in one window ina multitask window environment is dragged by a pointing device and thendropped in another window, the program causes a computer to function asa control means that detects start of a drag operation, and thendisplays a concerned window on a foremost side of a multi-windowenvironment to activate if a predetermined application as a destinationof drop of a dragged object has been started, or starts the applicationand then displays the concerned window on the foremost side of themulti-window environment to activate if the predetermined applicationhas not been started.

[0021] In a program set forth in claims 19 or 20, the program causes thecontrol means to function as a look-up means in which associationbetween a plurality of applications, that are the destination of drop ofthe object, and objects and priorities of the applications are set andwhich is used to display a window of an application on the foremost sideof the multi-window environment to activate by referring to theassociation and the priorities.

[0022] In a program set forth in claims 21 or 20, the program causes thecontrol means to display windows of a plurality of applicationssequentially on the foremost side of the multi-window environment incompliance with priorities in a reference table to activate during whenthe drag operation is held, and then repeat a circulation of activationuntil a drop operation is carried out.

[0023] According to the inventions set forth in claims 1, 9, and 17,even if the window as the destination of drop is concealed on thedesktop prior to the start of the drag, the window of the application,which receives the drag, can be displayed on the foremost side of thedesktop at a point of time when the drag is started. Thus, the operatorcan drop easily the object in the window as the destination of drop.

[0024] Also, according to the inventions set forth in claims 2, 10, and18, if the application that receives the drag is not started at a pointof time when the drag is started, the concerned application can bestarted automatically and also the window can be displayed on theforemost side. Thus, the operator can drop easily the object not toexecute newly the starting operation of the application.

[0025] Also, according to the inventions set forth in claims 3 to 4, 11to 12, and 19 to 20, if a plurality of applications that can receive thedrag are present, the concerned application can be displayed on theforemost side or can be started and then displayed on the foremost sideby referring to the table that indicates the association between theobjects and the applications and priorities of the applications. Thus,the operator can decide easily the destination of drop of the object.

[0026] Also, according to the inventions set forth in claims 5 to 6, 13to 14, and 21 to 22, if a plurality of applications that can receive thedrag are present, the window that is to be displayed on the foremostside can be altered/circulated sequentially in compliance with thepriority in the reference table until the drop operation is carried out.Thus, the operator can select easily the destination of drop of theobject.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a data processing systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028]FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic views showing an example of desktopdisplay according to the embodiment of the present invention (an examplein which a window of the application that has already been started andconcealed is displayed on the foremost side of the desktop);

[0029]FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic views showing an example of desktopdisplay according to the embodiment of the present invention (an examplein which an application is started and a window is displayed on theforemost side of the desktop);

[0030]FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are schematic views showing an example ofdesktop display according to the embodiment of the present invention (anexample in which windows of plural applications as the destination ofdrop are displayed sequentially on the foremost side of the desktop);

[0031]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of executing adrag-and-drop operating method according to the embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0032]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of executing thedrag-and-drop operating method according to the embodiment of thepresent invention (a process of changing the application that is to bedisplayed on the foremost side).

[0033]FIGS. 7A and 7B are conceptual views showing structural examplesof a reference table;

[0034]FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic views showing the subject of thedrag-and-drop operation in the prior art (an example in which the windowas the destination of drop is concealed); and

[0035]FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D are schematic views showing the subjectof the drag-and-drop operation in the prior art (operating procedures ofthe process prior to the execution of the drag-and-drop operation).

[0036]FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are schematic views showing acceptableexamples of the drag-and-drop operation in the present invention.

[0037] In the figures, reference numeral 1 refers to a processingsystem; 2 to a CPU; 3 to a memory; 4 to an auxiliary memory; 5 to apointing device; 6 to a display; each of 20, 30, and 40 to a desktop;each of 22, 32, and 42 to an icon; each of 21, 23, and 24 to a window;31 and 33 to windows; each of 41, 42, 44, and 45 to a window; and 100 toa data processing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] An embodiment of a display control method and a display controlprocessing system for a concealed window on a desktop according to thepresent invention will be explained with reference to the drawingshereinafter.

[0039]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a data processing systemaccording to the present invention. This data processing system 100comprises a processing system 1, and the processing system 1 includes acentral processing unit (CPU) 2 and a memory 3. An auxiliary memory 4 isconnected to the processing system 1, and codes, etc. of the program forembodying the present invention are recorded. Also, this data processingsystem 100 has a user interface means such as a pointing device 5, adisplay 6, etc.

[0040]FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show an example of display about thedrag-and-drop operation respectively. According to the presentinvention, even if the window of the application as the destination ofdrop is concealed, such window can be displayed on the foremost side ofthe desktop when the drag of the object is started in the window as theorigin of drag. FIG. 2 shows this state of the desktop. A window F (23)of an application F and a window G (24) of an application G areconcealed under a window E (21) on a desktop 20. However, the window F(23) of an application F that is recognized as the destination of dragis displayed on the foremost side of the desktop at a point of time whenan icon 22 of an object in the window E (21) is dragged. Accordingly, ifthe icon 22 of the object is dragged into the window F (23), thedrag-and-drop operation can be completed.

[0041] Also, according to the present invention, if the applicationserving as the destination of drop is not started, such application isstarted and then displayed on the foremost side of the desktop. FIG. 3shows this state of the desktop. Although an application J serving asthe destination of drop of a window H (31) on a desktop 30 is notstarted, the application J that is recognized as the destination of dragis started at a point of time when an icon 32 of the object of thewindow H (31) is dragged, and then a window J (33) is displayed on theforemost side of the desktop. Accordingly, if the icon 32 of the objectis dragged into the window J (33), the drag-and-drop operation can becompleted.

[0042] In addition, according to the present invention, if a pluralityof applications are present as the destination of drop, the window ofthe application is displayed or started and then displayed on theforemost side of the desktop in compliance with a table, in which theobjects and the applications are correlated mutually, and is activated.At this time, if the dragged object is kept while being dragged withoutdrop, the windows of the applications, which are correlated with theobject, are activated sequentially at a predetermined time intervalaccording to the priority after a predetermined time has lapsed, andthen this operation is circulated. FIG. 4 shows this state of thedesktop. As the destination of drop of the object in a window K (41) ofa desktop 40, applications L, M, N are registered in a reference tablein this order of priority. These three applications have already beenstarted, and also a window L (43), a window M (44), and a window N (45)are concealed by a window K (41). However, the window L (43) of theapplication L, which is recognized as the destination of drag having thefirst priority, is displayed on the foremost side of the desktop 40 at apoint of time when an icon 42 of the object of the window K (41) isdragged.

[0043] If the moving of the icon 42 that starts the drag is stopped tokeep the drag operation as it is, the window M (44) having the secondpriority is displayed on the foremost side instead of the window L (43)after a predetermined time has lapsed. Similarly, if the drag operationis kept as it is, the window N (45) having the third priority isdisplayed on the foremost side instead of the window M (44) at this timeafter the predetermined time has lapsed. If this state is still kept asit is, the display is returned to the start at this time after thepredetermined time has lapsed, and then the window L (43) having thefirst priority is displayed once again on the foremost side instead ofthe window N (45). When the application that has been registered on thetable is not started, the process of skipping such application may beset, otherwise the process of starting such application and thendisplaying it on the foremost side may be set. Accordingly, if the icon42 of the object is dragged into the window at a point of time when thedesired window is displayed, the drag-and-drop operation can becompleted.

[0044] Next, an operation of a display control method of the presentinvention will be explained in compliance with flowcharts shown in FIG.5 and FIG. 6. First, if the operator starts to drag the object (icon, orthe like) of any window by using the pointing device 5 while looking atthe screen of the display 6, the CPU 1 in the processing system 1detects the drag operation (step S101). The CPU can grasp theapplication of the window as the origin of drag, its operating state(operation mode), the type of the dragged object, etc.

[0045] Then, the previously-prepared table is looked up to assign thecorresponding application to the object (step S102). In the referencetable, corresponding applications are assigned in response to theoperation mode of the application and the type of the object. Also, ifthe priorities are affixed to the corresponding applications, aplurality of applications can be assigned to the same mode or the sameobject.

[0046] Here, a structure of the reference table will be explained. FIG.7 are conceptual views showing structural examples of the structure ofthe reference table. As shown in FIG. 7A, the corresponding applicationis assigned to the table every operation mode of the application andevery type of the object.

[0047] For example, the case where the application A is an applicationof the image editing process and also the corresponding applications areclassified according to two operation modes, i.e., an image editing mode(mode 1) and a text editing mode (mode 2), and two type data of theselected object, i.e., image data (α) and sound data (β), will beexplained. When the operator starts the drag operation by clicking theicon indicating the data file in the window of the application A, suchoperator can look up the table in FIG. 7.

[0048] If the window that receives the drag operation is the window ofthe application A, which is in the image editing mode (mode 1), and theselected icon is the image data (α), the window of the application E isdisplayed on the foremost side, as shown in the table. In contrast, ifthe window that receives the drag operation is the window of theapplication A, which is in the text editing mode (mode 2), and theselected icon is the sound data (β), the window of the application G isdisplayed on the foremost side of the desktop, as shown in the table. Asdescribed above, the window displayed on the foremost side can bealtered according to the operation mode of the application as the originof drag and the type of the dragged icon (type of the object).

[0049] In this case, the operation of displaying the concerned window onthe foremost side is carried out if the application has already beenstarted, while the operation of starting the concerned application andthen displaying the window on the foremost side is carried out if theapplication has not been started yet. Also, the well-known approach maybe employed as the method of displaying the concerned window amongplural windows, which are being displayed on the desktop, on theforemost side.

[0050] The types of the operation mode and the object can be increasedaccording to the situation. Also, a multi-dimensional table may beformulated by setting other classifying items in addition to theoperation mode and the object. In addition, any window out of pluralwindows can be designated by designating the operation mode in theapplication as the destination of drag, and then displayed on theforemost side.

[0051] In addition, as shown in FIG. 7B, even when the same operationmode and the same object are selected, a plurality of correspondingapplications with their priorities can be set. For example, theapplication E with the first priority to the application Q with thefourth priority are set as the application that corresponds to theapplication A, the mode 1, and the data α in FIG. 7A. Under suchsetting, if the window of the application, which is displayed on theforemost side at a point of time when the drag operation is started, isnot the user's target application, the windows of the applications thatcan serve as the destination of drop are displayed sequentially on theforemost side. As a result, the desired application can be selected. Theprocedures of changing the window of the application that is to bedisplayed on the foremost side will be described later.

[0052] Then, returning to FIG. 5, the application as the destination ofdrop of the object is grasped by referring to the table (step S102).Then, it is decided whether or not the concerned application has alreadystarted (step S103). If such application is not started, it is decidedin step S104 whether or not the application is to be started. Forexample, in the case that “only the application that has already beenstarted is displayed on the foremost side” is set in the initialization,“NO” is decided here and no process is executed. In contrast, in thecase that the application is to be started, the concerned application isstarted in step S105.

[0053] In the case that the application has already been started or theapplication is started, a window handle of the application is acquiredin step S106 and thus the area on the screen, which is used to displaythe window on the foremost side, is assured. Then, the window of theapplication is displayed and activated in step S107.

[0054] In this case, if the application is displayed as the minimizationdisplay (for example, the icon display on the bottom portion of thescreen) although such application has been started, such application isdisplayed in original display size on the foremost side.

[0055] In step S108, the CPU 2 decides whether or not the drop operationis detected. If the drop operation is detected, the CPU executes theprocess of transferring the object to the application of the concernedwindow (step S109). In contrast, if the CPU detects that the dropoperation has not been executed, it executes the process of changing theapplication that is being displayed on the foremost side (step S110). Ifa predetermined time has lapsed while keeping the drag operation as itis without the drop operation, the CPU decides that the application thatis currently window-displayed on the foremost side does not correspondto the application as the destination of drop. Then, the CPU executesthe process of causing the window of another application, which canserve as the destination of drop, to display on the foremost side. Thisprocess can function only when the assignment of the priority of theapplication is present in the above reference table.

[0056] In this case, in the detection of the drop operation (step S108),the decision may be made after a predetermined time has been lapsed.

[0057] The details of the process of changing the application, which isto be displayed on the foremost side of the desktop, will be explainedwith reference to FIG. 6. First, the time count for measuring lapse of apredetermined time is started (step S201). The detection of the dropoperation is executed during this counting (step S202). If the operationis detected, the drop process of the object is executed (step S203). Itis decided in step S204 whether or not the predetermined time haslapsed. If the predetermined time has lapsed, the increment of thepriority is executed (step S205), and then the concerned application inthe table is looked up (step S206). If the explanation is made withreference to the data a in FIG. 7B, the window that is currentlydisplayed on the foremost side is the window of the application E andthe priority is No.1. Then, the priority becomes No.2 by the incrementin step S205 and thus the concerned application F is looked up as theobject application.

[0058] After the above changing process has been applied, the process isreturned to the step shown by “A” in FIG. 5. Then, the process ofdisplaying the window of the object application on the foremost side iscarried out according to above procedures. The explanation will be madeby using the example in FIG. 7B. If the application F having the secondpriority is not started, the window of the application F is displayed onthe foremost side in the order of steps S104, S105, S106, and S107.Then, if the drag operation is still maintained, the application Ghaving the third priority and the application Q having the fourthpriority are displayed sequentially on the foremost side according tothe similar procedures. Then, if the drag operation is maintained muchmore, the priority is also incremented but the priority goes back toNo.1 once again to circulate since the priority is given up to No.4. Ifthe operator executes the drop operation when the window of the desiredapplication is displayed on the foremost side, the drag-and-dropoperation can be completed.

[0059] The above procedures are the procedures of the drag-and-dropoperation. Then, assignment of the priority of the application in thereference table will be explained hereunder. As described above, aplurality of applications can be assigned to the reference table as theapplication as the destination of drop of the dragged object. Theassignment to the table may be set such that the operator can designatedirectly the application, otherwise the application may be assignedautomatically based on the drag-and-drop operation history of the objectof the concerned application (or in the operation mode).

[0060] As an example of the case that the application is assigned basedon the operation history, there is the approach of saving the pastoperation history by the designated number of times in the table andthen canceling sequentially the data in the history data from the oldestdata every time when the operation is carried out. If the new operationis carried out, the application as the destination of drop is set as theapplication having the first priority. Then, if the operation is stillcarried out, the numeral of the first priority of the application isincremented to the second priority. In addition to such assignmentmethod, various well-known approaches may be employed.

[0061] In this case, it is needless to say that the window of theapplication explained up to now contains not only the window of thenormal application but also the window environment provided by the OS(Operating System) (e.g., the windows displayed by Windows “my computer”and “my document”, etc.) and that the present invention can also beapplied to them.

[0062] In the above-described embodiments, the concealed windowcorresponding to the predetermined application is displayed on theforemost and the predetermined application is activated. However, it isan adequate situation for the activation of the predeterminedapplication that at least a part of the concealed window can be invisible. For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, there are window A, window Band window C on a desktop. The window B conceals the whole window C. Thewindow A is displayed on the window B. In this situation, by dropping tothe window C, the whole concealed window C is not displayed on theforemost but at least a part of the window C is displayed on the windowB (See FIG. 10B). It is also possible to activate application Ccorresponding to the window C without displaying it on the foremost.

[0063] Furthermore, it is acceptable situation that both of the window Cand the window A are displayed on the window B with same level, afterdropping the window C (See FIG. 10C).

[0064] As described above, according to the inventions, even if thewindow as the destination of drop is concealed on the desktop prior tothe start of the drag, the window of the application, which receives thedrag, can be displayed on the foremost side of the desktop at a point oftime when the drag is started. Thus, the operator can drop easily theobject in the window as the destination of drop.

[0065] Also, according to the inventions, if the application thatreceives the drag is not started at a point of time when the drag isstarted, the concerned application can be started automatically and thewindow can be displayed on the foremost side. Thus, the operator candrop easily the object not to execute newly the starting operation ofthe application.

[0066] Also, according to the inventions, if a plurality of applicationsthat can receive the drag are present, the concerned application can bedisplayed on the foremost side or can be started and then displayed onthe foremost side by referring to the table that indicates theassociation between the objects and the applications and theirpriorities. Thus, the operator can decide easily the destination of dropof the object.

[0067] Also, according to the inventions, if a plurality of applicationsthat can receive the drag are present, the window that is to bedisplayed on the foremost side can be altered/circulated sequentially incompliance with the priority in the reference table until the dropoperation is carried out. Thus, the operator can select easily thedestination of drop of the object.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display control method for displaying aconcealed window on a desktop when any object displayed in one window ina multitask window environment is dragged by a pointing device and thendropped in another window, the method comprising the steps of: detectingstart of a drag operation; and activating a predetermined application asa destination of drop of a dragged object by displaying a concealedwindow, which corresponds to the predetermined application, on aforemost side of a multi-window environment to activate.
 2. A displaycontrol method for displaying a concealed window on a desktop when anyobject displayed in one window in a multitask window environment isdragged by a pointing device and then dropped in another window, themethod comprising the steps of: detecting start of a drag operation;detecting whether or not a predetermined application as a destination ofdrop of a dragged object has been started; and activating thepredetermined application by displaying a concealed window correspondingto the predetermined application on a foremost side of a multi-windowenvironment if the predetermined application has been started, or bystarting the predetermined application and then displaying the concealedwindow on the foremost side of the multi-window environment if thepredetermined application has not been started.
 3. The display controlmethod according to claim 1, further comprising a step of: displaying awindow of an application on the foremost side of the multi-windowenvironment to activate by referring to a table that indicatesassociation between objects and applications and priorities of theapplications if a plurality of applications that are the destination ofdrop of the object are present.
 4. The display control method accordingto claim 2, further comprising a step of: displaying a window of anapplication on the foremost side of the multi-window environment toactivate by referring to a table that indicates association betweenobjects and applications and priorities of the applications if aplurality of applications that are the destination of drop of the objectare present.
 5. The display control method according to claim 3, furthercomprising a step of: displaying windows of a plurality of applicationssequentially on the foremost side of the multi-window environment incompliance with priorities in a reference table to activate during whenthe drag operation is held, and then repeating a circulation ofactivation until a drop operation is carried out.
 6. The display controlmethod according to claim 4, further comprising a step of: displayingwindows of a plurality of applications sequentially on the foremost sideof the multi-window environment in compliance with priorities in areference table to activate during when the drag operation is held, andthen repeating a circulation of activation until a drop operation iscarried out.
 7. A display control method for displaying a concealedwindow on a desktop when any object displayed in one window in amultitask window environment is dragged by a pointing device and thendropped in another window, the method comprising the steps of: detectingstart of a drag operation; and activating an application for activatinga predetermined application as a destination of drop of a dragged objectby displaying a concealed window corresponding to the predeterminedapplication on a screen such that at least a part of the concealedwindow can be in visible under a multi-window environment.
 8. A displaycontrol method for displaying a concealed window on a desktop when anyobject displayed in one window in a multitask window environment isdragged by a pointing device and then dropped in another window, themethod comprising the steps of: detecting start of a drag operation;detecting whether or not a predetermined application as a destination ofdrop of a dragged object has been started; and activating thepredetermined application by displaying a concealed window correspondingto the predetermined application on a screen such that at least a partof the concealed window can be in visible under a multi-windowenvironment if the predetermined application is has been started, or bystarting the predetermined application and then displaying the concealedwindow on the screen such that at least a part of the concealed windowcan be in visible if the predetermined application has not been started.9. A display control processing system for displaying a concealed windowon a desktop when any object displayed in one window in a multitaskwindow environment is dragged by a pointing device and then dropped inanother window, the system comprising: control means for detecting startof a drag operation and activating a predetermined application as adestination of drop of a dragged object by displaying a concealed windowcorresponding to the predetermined application on a foremost side of amulti-window environment.
 10. A display control processing system fordisplaying a concealed window on a desktop when any object displayed inone window in a multitask window environment is dragged by a pointingdevice and then dropped in another window, the system comprising:control means for detecting start of a drag operation and activating apredetermined application as a destination of drop of a dragged objectby displaying a concealed window corresponding to the predeterminedapplication on a foremost side of a multi-window environment if thepredetermined application has been started, or by starting thepredetermined application and then displaying the concealed window onthe foremost side of the multi-window environment if the predeterminedapplication has not been started.
 11. The display control processingsystem according to claim 9, further comprising: a reference table inwhich association between a plurality of applications and objects andpriorities are set; wherein the application are the destination of dropof the object, and wherein the reference table is utilized to activationone of the application by referring the association and the prioritiesand displaying one of concealed windows of the application to beactivated on the foremost side of the multi-window environment.
 12. Thedisplay control processing system according to claim 10, furthercomprising: a reference table in which association between a pluralityof applications and objects and priorities are set; wherein theapplication are the destination of drop of the object, and wherein thereference table is utilized to activation one of the application byreferring the association and the priorities and displaying one ofconcealed windows of the application to be activated on the foremostside of the multi-window environment.
 13. The display control processingsystem according to claim 11, wherein the control means executesactivation of a plurality of applications by displaying windows of theplurality of applications sequentially on the foremost side of themulti-window environment in compliance with priorities in the referencetable during holding the drag operation, and then repeats the activationuntil a drop operation is carried out.
 14. The display controlprocessing system according to claim 12, wherein the control meansexecutes activation of a plurality of applications by displaying windowsof the plurality of applications sequentially on the foremost side ofthe multi-window environment in compliance with priorities in thereference table during holding the drag operation, and then repeats theactivation until a drop operation is carried out.
 15. A display controlprocessing system for displaying a concealed window on a desktop whenany object displayed in one window in a multitask window environment isdragged by a pointing device and then dropped in another window, thesystem comprising: control means for detecting start of a drag operationand activating a predetermined application as a destination of drop of adragged object by displaying a concealed window corresponding to thepredetermined application on a screen such that at least a part of theconcealed window can be in visible under a multi-window environment. 16.A display control processing system for displaying a concealed window ona desktop when any object displayed in one window in a multitask windowenvironment is dragged by a pointing device and then dropped in anotherwindow, the system comprising: control means for detecting start of adrag operation and activating a predetermined application as adestination of drop of a dragged object by displaying a concealed windowcorresponding to the predetermined application on a screen under amulti-window environment if the predetermined application has beenstarted, or by starting the predetermined application and thendisplaying the concealed window on the screen under the multi-windowenvironment if the predetermined application has not been started.
 17. Aprogram for displaying and controlling a concealed window on a desktopwhen any object displayed in one window in a multitask windowenvironment is dragged by a pointing device and then dropped in anotherwindow, the program for causing a computer to execute the function as:control means for detecting start of a drag operation, and activating apredetermined application as a destination of drop of a dragged objectby displaying a concealed window corresponding to the predeterminedapplication on a foremost side of a multi-window environment.
 18. Aprogram for displaying and controlling a concealed window on a desktopwhen any object displayed in one window in a multitask windowenvironment is dragged by a pointing device and then dropped in anotherwindow, the program for causing a computer to execute the function as:control means for detecting start of a drag operation, and activating apredetermined application as a destination of drop of a dragged objectby displaying a concealed window corresponding to the predeterminedapplication on a foremost side of a multi-window environment if thepredetermined application has been started, or by starting thepredetermined application and displaying the concealed windowcorresponding to the predetermined application on the foremost side ofthe multi-window environment if the predetermined application has notbeen started.
 19. The program according to claim 17, causing a computerto execute the further function as: a referring means in whichassociation between a plurality of applications and objects andpriorities are set; wherein the plurality of applications are thedestination of drop of the object, and the referring means is utilizedfor activating one of the plurality of applications by referring to theassociation and the priorities and displaying a window of theapplication to be activated on the foremost side of the multi-windowenvironment.
 20. The program according to claim 18, causing a computerto execute the further function as: a referring means in whichassociation between a plurality of applications and objects andpriorities are set; wherein the plurality of applications are thedestination of drop of the object, and the referring means is utilizedfor activating one of the plurality of applications by referring to theassociation and the priorities and displaying a window of theapplication to be activated on the foremost side of the multi-windowenvironment.
 21. The program according to claim 19, wherein the functionas the control means further including the functions of: executingactivation of a plurality of applications by displaying windows of theplurality of applications sequentially on the foremost side of themulti-window environment in compliance with priorities in the referringmeans during holding the drag operation; and repeating the activationuntil a drop operation is carried out.
 22. The program according toclaim 20, wherein the function as the control means further includingthe functions of: executing activation of a plurality of applications bydisplaying windows of the plurality of applications sequentially on theforemost side of the multi-window environment in compliance withpriorities in the referring means during holding the drag operation; andrepeating the activation until a drop operation is carried out.
 23. Aprogram for displaying and controlling a concealed window on a desktopwhen any object displayed in one window in a multitask windowenvironment is dragged by a pointing device and then dropped in anotherwindow, the program for causing a computer to execute the function as:control means for detecting start of a drag operation, and activating apredetermined application as a destination of drop of a dragged objectby displaying a concealed window corresponding to the predeterminedapplication on a screen such that at least a part of the concealedwindow can be in visible under a multi-window environment.
 24. A programfor displaying and controlling a concealed window on a desktop when anyobject displayed in one window in a multitask window environment isdragged by a pointing device and then dropped in another window, theprogram for causing a computer to execute the function as: control meansfor detecting start of a drag operation, and activating a predeterminedapplication as a destination of drop of a dragged object by displaying aconcealed window corresponding to the predetermined application on ascreen such that at least a part of the concealed window can be invisible under a multi-window environment if the predeterminedapplication has been started, or by starting the predeterminedapplication and displaying the concealed window corresponding to thepredetermined application on the screen such that at least a part of theconcealed window can be in visible under the multi-window environment ifthe predetermined application has not been started.